Anyone have a dashcam they really like?

  • I don’t care about screens
  • I’d like something I could mount to my dash
  • I’d like something that can record audio

I was trapped in my car recently and berated by a neighbor, so I mostly want something I can use to record that sort of behavior in the future. Otherwise, it’s just he said/she said.

Thanks!

Edit: I ended up with a VIOFO VS1 Mini. I installed it last night and so far so good. The only annoyance was that my EZ-Pass(toll road transponder) was already mounted right where I wanted my camera, so that had to move. Also, I still need to pretty up my wiring. I’m feeling a bit more confident driving in the neighborhood. And I checked, can download video with the app no problem.

  • jqubed@lemmy.world
    4·
    4 days ago

    I’ve put a couple Viofo dash cameras in family cars and overall been happy with them. Just about every camera I’ve seen records audio, but the quality can vary. The first camera I had years ago, a Z-Edge Z3, really needed to have a low cut filter on it; I think engine and road noise were reflected and amplified by the windshield so the bass frequencies kind of drowned out everything else. Probably still good enough to record an angry neighbor if they’re shouting but you might not get everything. A camera with an interior view like a taxi or ride share driver might use may have better audio, but I’ve never tried one of those.

    • I’d like something I could mount to my dash

    You want something that can mount on top of your dashboard, not to your windshield? Despite the name, most dashcams are designed to mount to the windshield, but in some states/jurisdictions attaching anything to the windshield is illegal (I think Virginia is like this). Looking for something designed to mount to the dash might narrow your options but also make picking one easier. I suspect the audio might also be clearer if you’re not mounting the camera directly to the windshield.

    • pixelmeow@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      4 days ago

      For Virginia: dashcam can be mounted on the windshield so long as it’s behind the rear view mirror. It can’t block the space between the mirror and the dash. I don’t think police will pull you, they never pulled me for it in the years mine was mounted that way (only a little below the mirror), but state inspector will move it to the side or tell you to move it. My current BlackVue is completely hidden by the mirror so no problem.

    • grysbok@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
      1·
      4 days ago

      I’m mostly worried about wiring and having a distraction in my field of view, so mounting behind the rear-view mirror might work. I already have a parking tag there, but there might be space for both. Thanks!

      • jqubed@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 days ago

        Generally mounting it behind the mirror or as close to that as possible is ideal so it’s not really in your field of vision, but you can still look at it without too much effort when parked. Be sure that wherever you mount it has the lens looking out through an area the windshield wipers will clear, otherwise the camera will be useless in the rain.

        The ideal solution with the power cable is to hardwire it to the fuse box and tuck the cable behind your trim, but that takes effort and being confident that you can do that without damaging your trim (tools to make that easier can be purchased pretty cheap online or someplace like Harbor Freight). Sometimes cars have electricity running to the mirror for functions like auto-dimming or built-in garage door openers, and some cameras are designed to tap into that. That can be really easy and clean looking, almost stealthy. Try searching online for your car model and dashcam if you think that might be an option.

        Barring that an easier, if uglier, solution is to get a bunch of adhesive cable clips and route the cable from your 12 volt outlet up your dash and around the edge of your windshield. Be sure to tuck the cable as close as possible when in the footwell so feet or bags don’t dislodge it. Sometimes the adhesive on the clips will fail and the cable will fall, though. Or if you’re really lazy like me you can swap out a shorter cable and let it dangle down vertically from the camera to the outlet. The cable is really pretty thin and I’ve never found it distracting, but it’s not for everyone.

        • grysbok@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
          1·
          3 days ago

          I’ll probably go the long-cable route. It’s a 2008 car, so I’m not winning any style points anyway. I’ll ask my mechanic if they could hardwire it next time I’m in.

          Thanks!